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From steroids to SARMs: How did scientists discover this new class of drugs?
In the world of doping, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) have attracted the attention of many scientists and the medical community since they were first discovered in 1998. These drugs are designed to provide muscle and bone growth similar to traditional steroids, but with relatively few side effects. This makes people think, will SARMs become the ideal substitute that athletes and patients are looking for in the future?
Background of the birth of SARMs
SARMs emerged in response to the side effects of past steroid use. Although traditional synthetic steroids, known as anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), are used to treat a variety of medical problems, their use is limited by their effects on male reproductive tissue. SARMs are designed to enhance bone density and muscle mass while minimizing the impact on the prostate, and therefore have gradually attracted clinical research interest.
Discovery process
The earliest SARMs were developed independently by two research teams. The first team at the University of Tennessee developed a phenylpropionamide SARM, while the second team, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, developed a quinoline-based SARM. Core structure-based SARMs. These drugs share structural similarities with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).
"The emergence of SARMs has brought unprecedented selectivity and efficiency, aiming to improve the side effects caused by traditional steroids."
The role and potential of SARMs
SARMs are designed to precisely target specific tissues to promote healthy muscle and bone growth. For example, clinical studies have shown that some SARMs such as Enobosarm (also known as Ostarine) can effectively increase bone density and lean body mass, while having relatively little effect on the prostate. In addition, SARMs are also considered for the treatment of osteoporosis, cachexia, benign prostatic hyperplasia and other conditions. However, as of 2023, no SARMs have been approved by the US FDA or the European Medicines Agency.
Side effects and risks
Although the side effects of SARMs are relatively few and mild, they may still lead to problems such as elevated liver enzymes, low HDL cholesterol levels, and possible suppression of the sacrocytic gland axis. The side effects of SARMs indicate their potential safety compared with traditional steroids, but this does not mean that using this class of drugs is completely risk-free. In fact, there are still many unknown variables and challenges in the clinical application of SARMs.
"In clinical trials, side effects of SARMs were rare and usually mild, but their potential risks are still under further study."
The sports community’s views on SARMs
The use of SARMs in the sports world has caused controversy since 2008, as they were banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Many athletes favor these drugs because they are thought to stimulate muscle growth without the serious side effects of traditional steroids. However, due to the widespread availability of SARMs, many products may be mislabeled, putting consumers at unnecessary risk.
Future development and challenges
As the research on SARMs continues to deepen, the application potential of this type of drugs in medical treatment and sports will still be broad in the future. Progress in human trials and in-depth studies of their long-term safety will be key to determining the status of SARMs in the therapeutic and sports doping fields. Will we see SARMs formally incorporated into the medical system in the near future, allowing more patients to benefit from them?
In short, the development of SARMs is not only a challenge to traditional medicine, but also a response from the scientific community to sports health and medical needs. In future research, the safety, effectiveness and practical clinical application of SARMs will provide more enlightenment. Should we re-examine the potential and risks of this type of drugs to seek the best health management solutions? ?
